Congress for Progressive Change

Congress for Progressive Change
Chairman	Tony Momoh
Secretary-General	Buba Galadima
Founded	2009 (2009)[1]
Headquarters	Plot 1132 Utako District, Abuja[2]
Ideology	Social change, Federalism
Official colours	Pale blue
Politics of Nigeria Political parties Elections

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is a political party founded in Nigeria in 2009 in preparation for the April 2011 elections.^[1] It is the 63rd political party to be founded in the country and also the last political party to be registered in Nigeria.^[3]

Foundation

The Congress for Progressive Change originated in The Buhari Organization (TBO) formed in 2006 by General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler of Nigeria, and his associates. After the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) nominated Buhari as its 2007 presidential candidate, TBO worked with the ANPP in the election campaign, but there was friction between the two groups. Following the April 2007 elections, in which President Umaru Yar'adua was elected, Buhari instituted a court appeal against the result. The ANPP decided to join Yar'Adua in his government of national unity, and attempted to persuade Buhari to withdraw the suit, indicating lack of full support for Buhari in the ANPP. Buhari decided that he needed a new platform to support his political ambitions.^[4]

The Congress for Progressive Change filed an application to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 26 March 2009, and received official approval and registration on 28 December 2009.^[1] The majority of its initial members were formerly members of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP).^[3] Buhari formally left the ANPP and joined the CPC in March 2010. He said that he had supported foundation of the CPC "as a solution to the debilitating, ethical and ideological conflicts in my former party the ANPP".^[1] In January 2011 a former Information Minister, Prince Tony Momoh, became the National Chairman of the party. The National Secretary of the party was Engineer Buba Galadima, a founding member.^[5]

Ideology

The agenda of the CPC lies towards the left wing of the political spectrum, supporting individual liberty, rights and social welfare for the less privileged. The party advocates political liberalism, as originated by the American philosopher, John Rawls. The party's manifesto insists on the amendment of the Nigerian constitution with the view of devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench federalism and the federal spirit.^[6] The party constitution is silent on the issue of zoning, a common practice in Nigeria under which key positions are allocated in rotation to representatives from each region of the country.^[5]

April 2011 elections

There were various problems with ballot papers in the April 2011 elections. The CPC found, just before the elections, that its logo was missing from ballot papers in some constituencies of Ogun, Jigawa, Gombe, Anambra, Imo and Rivers states. Prince Tony Momoh protested in a strong letter to Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He described the omission as "a premeditated attempt to prevent our numerous supporters from voting for those they believe can bring the change they demand to their lives".^[7]

Although the CPC had rapidly gained support in the North of Nigeria, fielding many candidates in the National elections in April 2011, it did not have the same financial resources as the incumbent People's Democratic Party (PDP).^[4] Elections were held for most seats in the National Assembly Senate and House of Representatives on 9 April 2011, although some had to be delayed due to problems with ballot papers. In the first round of elections held on 9 April, the CPC came third in both Senate and House seats gained. In the Senate, the PDP won 53 seats, followed by the ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria) with 13 seats, CPC 6 seats, ANPP 4 seats and other parties took 4 seats. In the House, the PDP gained 123 seats, ACN 45, CPC 21, ANPP 11 and other parties 18 seats.^[8]

Mohammadu Buhari ran as CPC candidate in the presidential election held on 16 April 2011. He won 12,214,853 votes, coming second to the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, who polled 22,495,187 votes and was declared the winner.^[9] The election, considered to have been conducted much more fairly than past contests, revealed extreme polarization between North and South. Buhari won in all the northern states, while Jonathan won in all middle-belt and south states apart from Osun State, where Nuhu Ribadu gained the most votes. Turnout was considerably higher in the south than in the north, although the north has more voters.^[10] Following the election, the CPC said it was considering going to court to challenge the result, which it said was marred by widespread irregularities, particularly in the South East and South South zones.^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Emeka Mamah (18 March 2010). "Buhari Joins Congress for Progressive Change". Vanguard. http://allafrica.com/stories/201003180375.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22. 
2. ^ Ahuraka Yusuf Isah (17 March 2011). "Bauchi Guber - Court to Hear Case Against Cpc Candidate". Leadership. http://allafrica.com/stories/201103180700.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "CPC: The meteoric rise of a phenomenon". Vanguard. APRIL 1, 2011. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/cpc-the-meteoric-rise-of-a-phenomenon/. Retrieved 2011-04-22. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Taiwo Adisa (13 March 2011). "Buhari in the North Myth or reality?". Nigerian Tribune. http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/the-polity/3353-buhari-in-the-north-myth-or-reality. Retrieved 2011-02-22. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Tordue Salem (JANUARY 7, 2011). "Tony Momoh emerges CPC National Chairman". Vanguard. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/01/tony-momoh-emerges-cpc-national-chairman/. Retrieved 2011-02-22. 
6. ^ Oboro Andaolotu (March 19, 2011). "Buhari CPC And Political Liberalism". Sahara Reporters. http://www.saharareporters.com/article/buhari-cpc-and-political-liberalism. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
7. ^ OBIORA IFOH (03/04/2011). "CPC’s logo missing in ballot paper: ‘It’s designed to rig us out’". National Mirror. http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/9229.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22. 
8. ^ "Summary". Nigeria Elections Coalition. http://nigeriaelections.org/. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Festus Owete (April 21, 2011). "Congress for Progressive Change considers going to court". Next. http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5691404-146/story.csp. Retrieved 2011-04-22. 
10. ^ "Nigeria election: Riots over Goodluck Jonathan win". BBC News. 18 April 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13107867. Retrieved 2011-04-23.